Systems and methods for contextual imaging workflow

ABSTRACT

A hierarchical workflow is configured to associate examination information captured using an imaging platform with contextual metadata. The examination information may include ultrasound image data, which may be associated with annotations, measurements, pathology, body markers, and/or the like. The hierarchical workflow may comprise templates associated with respective anatomical regions, locations, volumes, and/or surfaces. A template may define configuration data to automatically adapt the imaging platform to capture imaging data in the corresponding anatomical region. The template may further include guidance information for the operator, including processing steps for capturing relevant examination information. Additional examination information may be captured and included in the hierarchical workflow.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to ultrasound imaging and, in particular, to ahierarchical imaging workflow to generate contextual examinationinformation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of an interface for hierarchical workflow;

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of an interface for analysis of contextualinformation;

FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of an imaging system;

FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of an imaging system;

FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of an imaging system;

FIG. 6 depicts one embodiments of a data structures for capturingcontextual information in a hierarchical workflow;

FIG. 7 is block diagram of one embodiment of a hierarchical workflowsystem;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method for hierarchicalworkflow;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method forhierarchical workflow;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method forhierarchical workflow; and

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method forhierarchical workflow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Diagnostic ultrasound imaging typically involves the acquisition ofimagery data. The imagery data may be accompanied by metadata, such asannotations, measurements, and the like, which document certain resultsand/or findings pertaining to the imagery data. In some cases,annotations are applied directly to the images in order to, inter alia,enhance the viewer's understanding of the imagery data. The annotationsmay include, for example, a graphical body marker of the region beingscanned and/or an indication of transducer placement.

Ultrasound examination procedures are typically focused on a singleexamination type. Although these types of procedures can be efficient incertain circumstances, deviations due to, inter alia, pathology and/orthe need for additional information may not be well defined. In someinstances, a “protocol” exam methodology is used to ensure a moreconsistent set of images and/or annotations. These protocols typicallydefine linear steps for an exam, such as image capture, text annotation,measurements, and so on. Although such protocols can be efficient incertain situations, they lack the ability to provide additional examcontext. For example, it may be difficult to call attention toanomalies, deviate from the prescribed steps in response to, inter alia,an observed pathology, and/or the like. Moreover, protocol exammethodologies do not define a hierarchical structure for informationgathered in the exam.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems and methods for providing ahierarchical workflow for image-based examinations, such as ultrasoundimaging. The disclosed systems and methods may provide a hierarchicalcontext for an exam that a) defines efficient and consistent examinationprocedures and b) supports deviations from typical exams due to, interalia, observed pathology and/or the need for additional information. Thedisclosed hierarchical workflow may define a unified context forseamlessly incorporating additional information gathering steps intoexisting exam, exam review, and/or documentation processes. Thehierarchical workflow may also provide an improved way to understand theoverall status of exam data in a graphically relevant manner, including,inter alia, the seamless incorporation of information from other exams,measurements or other modalities resulting in enhanced clinical utility,an overall hierarchical structure of the exam generated naturally duringexamination procedures, and the like.

In some embodiments, the disclosed hierarchical workflow may furthercomprise generating contextual information pertaining to an examination.As used herein, contextual information refers to examination data andassociated contextual metadata that provides a context and/orrelationship for the data. Contextual metadata may include, but is notlimited to: information pertaining a particular anatomical region,location, and/or volume associated with the information, pathologyinformation, patient information (e.g., name, identifier, and/or thelike), patient history information (e.g., previously acquired imagerydata), anatomical context, and/or the like. In some embodiments,contextual information may be associated with and/or tagged to entriesof an anatomical index. As used herein, an “anatomical index” refers toan index and/or a map of anatomical locations, regions, and/orexamination types. An anatomical index may comprise entriescorresponding to anatomical regions, locations, surfaces and/or volumescapable of being scanned by one or more data capture platforms (e.g.,cover a set of anatomical locations and/or regions capable of beingscanned by an ultrasound imaging system). Contextual information may beassociated with one or more entries of the anatomical index, which maydefine the anatomical region, location, volume, and/or surfaceassociated with the information. For example, an image acquired by anultrasound system may be associated with an entry of the anatomicalindex that defines the anatomical region corresponding by the imagerydata. Alternatively, or in addition, contextual information may compriseother types of information, such as measurement information,annotations, patient information, patient history, and/or the like.

The contextual information and/or anatomical index disclosed herein maybe stored and/or maintained in a data storage system such as a database(e.g., a relational database, an object-oriented database, an eXtensibleMarkup Language (XML) database, or the like), a directory, a filesystem, and/or the like, which may comprise and/or be embodied on anon-transitory, computer-readable storage medium, such as a hard disk,an optical storage medium, a solid-state storage medium (e.g., Flashstorage media), and/or the like. The data storage system may be capableof associating data with contextual metadata, which may compriseassociating imagery data with anatomical index information, annotations,measurements, patient information, related imagery data, and/or thelike.

Contextual information pertaining to an examination may be filteredand/or refined to generate traditional examination report data, such aslinear reports. Alternatively, or in addition, the contextualinformation may be visualized holistically in order to, inter alia,increase the overall utility of each source of information comprisingthe contextual information. In some embodiments, the contextualinformation may be visualized in an anatomically based dashboardpertaining to a particular area under investigation. Imagery data may,for example, be represented using thumbnail indicators overlaid on ananatomical model, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. In other embodiments,historical information pertaining to a patient may be aggregated forpresentation to a reviewing physician in order to, inter alia, track theprogress of anomalies and/or the like over time.

The hierarchical workflow embodiments disclosed herein may capturecontextual information by use of contextual examination templates(templates). As used herein, a “template” refers to a data set thatdefines examination procedures for a particular anatomical location,region, volume, surface and/or examination type. Accordingly, a templatemay be associated with and/or correspond to a particular entry of theanatomical index. A template may include, but is not limited to:configuration data, examination guidance information, and/or the like.The configuration data may comprise baseline configuration parametersfor an examination platform (e.g., an image capture platform, such as anultrasound system). The baseline configuration parameters for anultrasound system may include, but are not limited to: frequency, depth,dynamic range, edge, tint, map, persistence, compounding, scan format,color box location/size/angle, color frequency, color gain, colorpersistence, color range, color map, spectral gate size, spectral gateposition, spectral gate location, spectral gate angle, M-Mode cursor,M-Mode frequency, M-Mode location, M-Mode persistence, M-Mode tint,M-Mode dynamic range, M-Mode edge, and the like for other imagingmodalities like Elastography, CEUS, 3D/4D, and/or the like. Furtherembodiments of systems and methods for configuring an imaging system aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,627,386 issued Dec. 1, 2009 to Larry Y. L.Mo et al., and which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The template may further comprise guidance information, which may beused to assist the operator of the image capture platform in performingan examination. The guidance information may include, but are notlimited to, guidelines pertaining to annotations, measurementindicators, body markers, examination procedures (e.g., steps), and/orthe like. The guidance information may be adapted for the anatomicallocation and/or examination type of the corresponding template and/oranatomical index.

The templates disclosed herein may correspond to the anatomical index.Accordingly, templates may be associated with respective sets of one ormore entries of the anatomical index. The templates may be stored and/ormaintained in a data storage system, such as a database, a directory, afile system, and/or the like, as disclosed herein. An operator maydefine templates by use of human machine interface (HMI) components ofthe imaging platform and/or other computing device. As used herein, HMIcomponents may include, but are not limited to: virtual displays, touchinputs, keyboard inputs, audio inputs, audio outputs, haptic inputs,haptic outputs, keyboards, pointer input devices (e.g., a mouse), motioninput device(s) (e.g., cameras), and/or the like. Defining a templatemay comprise: a) specifying an anatomical location, region, and/orexamination type (e.g., selecting an entry of the anatomical index), b)defining baseline configuration parameters for an image captureplatform, and/or c) specifying guidance information, such asannotations, measurement indicators, body markers, examinationprocedures (e.g., steps), and/or the like. Templates may be indexed byand/or tagged to a respective anatomical location, region, and/orexamination type in the anatomical index, as disclosed herein.Accordingly, the anatomical region, location, and/or examination typeassociated with the template may be used as a “primary key” for theparticular template within the anatomical index.

In some embodiments, an imaging platform comprises and/or iscommunicatively coupled to an anatomical index. An operator may select atemplate by use of one or more HMI components of the imaging platformand/or other computing device. In some embodiments, templates (and/ordata of the templates) are displayed in a linear selectable manner on aninterface of the imaging platform. Templates may be presented as a menu,a list, and/or the like. Alternatively, or in addition, templates may bedisplayed in a hierarchy based on the respective anatomical location,region, and/or examination type of the templates. In some embodiments,the operator may select a template by selecting a particular region,location, volume, and/or surface of the anatomical index (e.g.,selecting a location within a graphical representation of the anatomicalindex). In response to selection of a template, the imaging platform maybe automatically configured for examination of the correspondinganatomical region, location, volume, surface, and/or examination type,which may include, but is not limited to: a) configuring the imagingplatform in accordance with the configuration data of the selectedtemplate, b) providing contextual guidance information of the selectedtemplate to the operator of the imaging platform, and/or c) associatingdata captured by the imaging platform with contextual informationcorresponding to the selected template (e.g., contextual information,such as the corresponding entry of the anatomical index).

As disclosed above, templates may be added to the anatomical indexthrough, inter alia, the imaging platform. In some embodiments, newtemplates may be added during an ongoing examination. Templates may beadded in a hierarchical fashion. For example, a new template may“inherit” information from a current and/or selected template (the“parent” template). The new template may, for example, inherit theanatomical region, location, examination type, configuration data,and/or contextual guidance from the parent template. The operator mayoverride inherited data by, inter alia, entering information through,inter alia, HMI components of the imaging platform and/or othercomputing device.

Alternatively, or in addition, the operator may add examination stepswhile an examination is in process and/or based on prior patientknowledge. The additional examination steps may generate additionalcontextual information (e.g., additional imagery data, annotations,pathology indicators, measurements, and so on). The additionalcontextual information may be associated with the anatomical index, asdisclosed herein. In some embodiments, the additional contextualinformation may be appended to the end of a linear based sequencedefined by a template as “anomalies.” As used herein an “anomaly” refersto contextual information acquired outside of a particular template(e.g., in addition to or in place of steps and/or procedures defined ina template). As disclosed above, an anomaly may occur in response to,inter alia, imagery data captured while performing the steps of atemplate. For example, an operator may take steps to capture additionalimagery data in response to detecting a mass or tumor during a scan of aparticular anatomical region. The imagery data corresponding to theadditional operations may be associated and/or tagged with contextmetadata corresponding to the current template. Referring to the exampleabove, the imagery data captured in response to detecting the mass ortumor during a scan of a patient's liver may be associated with and/ortagged with the contextual metadata of the liver scan template (e.g.,may be associated with the liver in the anatomical index).Alternatively, or in addition, the operator may define contextualmetadata by use of HMI components of the imaging platform, which maycomprise specifying a location, region, volume, and/or surfacepertaining to the additional information in a graphical representationof the anatomical index.

As disclosed above, capturing data using a hierarchical workflow asdisclosed herein may comprise a) selecting a context for the dataacquisition operation(s) by, inter alia, selecting a template and/or anentry of the anatomical index, which may automatically configure thedata acquisition system (e.g., ultrasound system) in accordance withbaseline parameters and/or provide contextual guidance to an operator ofthe data acquisition system, b) receiving data acquired by use of thedata acquisition system, and c) storing the received data as contextualinformation on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Thecontextual information may be generated by combining the acquired datawith contextual metadata, such as anatomical location, region, volume,surface, examination type, and/or the like. The contextual informationmay further comprise measurements, annotations, pathology information,and/or the like.

In one exemplary embodiment, an operator may perform a liver examinationby a) selecting a liver scan template, and b) performing dataacquisition operations using an imaging platform, such as an ultrasoundsystem. The ultrasound system may be automatically configured withbaseline parameters of the selected liver examination template. Theoperator of the ultrasound system may capture imagery data, performmeasurements, and enter annotations, as disclosed herein, which may beassociated with contextual metadata and stored in a computer-readablestorage medium. During the scan operation, the operator may notice ananomaly in the imagery data, such as a lesion. In response, the operatormay generate a tag to describe the anomaly. As used herein, a “tag”refers to contextual information pertaining to captured imagery data,such as anatomical structure, characteristics, anomalies, and/or thelike. The operator may capture information pertaining to the anomaly by,inter alia, positioning a mass/lesion widget of the ultrasound system atthe appropriate anatomical location within the graphical representationof the imagery data and applying an anomaly tag to the contextualinformation pertaining to the examination (e.g., a “lesion tag”).Applying the anomaly tag may comprise associating the anomaly tag withthe contextual metadata capturing during the scan using, inter alia, arelational data structure, as described herein (e.g., in a database, adirectory, a file system, or the like). The anomaly may comprisecontextual information including, but not limited to: the position ofthe anomaly (e.g., position relative to the anatomic index), a bodymarker, measurements, and/or the like. The operator may authoradditional descriptive metadata and/or fields of the tag. The operatormay, for example, title the tag as a “liver lesion,” which may provideadditional context for the reviewing physician.

Although a particular example of a tag pertaining to anomaly data isdescribed herein, the disclosure is not limited in this regard and couldbe adapted to generate new contextual information (e.g., tags)corresponding to any suitable feature, characteristic, pathology, and/orthe like. For example, tags may be used to record new measurementsand/or measurement types, which may be associated with contextualinformation captured during an examination using a relational datastore, as described herein. The contextual information may be furtherconfigured to associate the contextual information captured in the scanwith other complementary information from other modalities bothdiagnostic and therapeutic to be included. Tags and/or other contextualinformation may be presented in a hierarchical display interface. Thehierarchical display interface may present imagery data based onacquisition location within the anatomical index, capture time, and/orthe like. In some embodiments, the hierarchical display may comprise ahistory of contextual information pertaining to the patient (e.g., fromprior exams). Referring to the exemplary liver lesion anomaly tagdisclosed above, a history of contextual information pertaining to thepatient may be presented to determine when the lesion first appeared andprogressed over time.

As disclosed above, templates may define a series of data gatheringsteps to be completed by an operator of the imaging platform, which mayinclude, but are not limited to: scanning particular anatomical regions,locations, volumes, and/or surfaces, performing one or morepre-determined measurements, entering one or more pre-determinedannotations, and/or the like. The imaging platform may be configured toalert the operator of missing steps (if any) prior to completing theexamination. Closing an examination may comprise storing contextualinformation acquired during the examination, including contextualinformation pertaining to anomalies (e.g., anomaly tags), in a datastore. The contextual information may be associated with contextualmetadata, as disclosed herein.

Contextual information stored in the data store may be made available toother computing devices by use of a network and/or other data sharingmechanism. Contextual information may be provided in one of a pluralityof different formats and/or configurations. In some embodiments, areview station is configured to utilize contextual metadata to providean anatomical based review of the imagery data, measurements,annotations, and the like. The revision station may provide foraccessing imagery data using the anatomical index (e.g., by selectingareas on a graphical representation of the anatomical index). The reviewstation may be further configured to display information pertaining tospecific tags, such as captured images, annotations, measurements,pathologies, anomalies, images from complementary modalities, such asother ultrasound images, computed tomography (CT) images, positronemission tomography (PET) images, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)images, x-ray images, and fluoroscopy images, correspondingmeasurements, annotations, calculations, and/or the like. Other reviewstations may provide reviewers with a more rudimentary, linear-type viewof the contextual information. Alternatively, or addition, thecontextual information may be presented as a visual map that associatesthe contextual information in order to, inter alia, present theanatomical index as a visual map and/or reference guide for theexamination so that the reviewer can access a single image thatrepresents the salient findings of the exam to identify where thereviewer's attention would be best used during review.

Upon completion of an examination, the corresponding contextualinformation may be stored in the data store, as disclosed above. Storingthe contextual information may comprise writing entries into arelational database, directory, file system, and/or the like. Theimaging system may be further configured to generate an examinationreport based on the stored contextual information. The report maycomprise various forms of the contextual information to enable areviewer to review the examination information, provide commentary,insert his or her professional diagnosis, and/or the like. In someembodiments, the reviewer may be given write access to the contextualinformation, which may comprise the ability to modify fields of thecontextual information (e.g., annotations), such as a diagnosis fieldand/or the like. Information entered and/or modified by the reviewer maybe stored with the contextual information in the data storage system, asdisclosed herein.

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of an interlace 100 (a graphical userinterface (GUI)) for utilizing a hierarchical, anatomical based workflowdisclosed herein. The displayed region 101 contains the outline of theinterface. The interface 100 of FIG. 1 may be configured for display ona computing device, such as an imaging system (e.g., an ultrasoundsystem, not shown). The imaging system may comprise a processor, memory,a computer-readable storage medium, HMI components, image capturecomponents, image processing components, and/or the like. The interface100 and/or related processing functionality may be embodied ascomputer-readable instructions stored on a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of the imaging system. Thecomputer-readable instructions may be configured for execution by theprocessor of the imaging system to cause the imaging system to a)display the interface 100 on a display component (e.g., a monitor, atouchscreen, and/or the like), and/or b) implement image capture,processing, storage, and/or other functionality in response tomanipulation of the inputs of the interface 100. In some embodiments,the imaging system comprises dedicated hardware components configured todisplay the interface 100 and/or implement corresponding functionality,which may include, but is not limited to, one or more: processors,field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), Application Specific IntegratedCircuits (ASICs), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), and/or thelike.

The interface 100 may be accessible by HMI components of the imagingsystem. In the FIG. 1 embodiment, the interface 100 may be configuredfor use with one or more of: a multi-touch display device, agesture-based display device, a hard key based input, a pointer-basedinput (e.g., mouse input), a combination of input mechanisms, and/or thelike.

The interface 100 may comprise a sequential display component 102configured to display a history of image capture data in a linear orsequential arrangement. The sequential display component 102 may,therefore, comprise a log of image capture operations ordered by time(or other ordering metric). The sequential display component 102 may beconfigured to display thumbnail images corresponding to captured imagesand/or clips (video data).

In some embodiments, the sequential display component 102 is configuredto display guidance information to an operator of the imaging system.The guidance information may indicate a sequence of images the operatoris to capture during a particular examination type and/or as part of anexamination of a particular anatomical region, location, volume, and/orsurface. The sequential display component 102 may be populated withguidance information of a template. The guidance information may bedisplayed as text entries in the sequential display component 102 thatdescribe the image(s) to be captured. Alternatively, or in addition, theguidance information may comprise a pointer and/or link to the area ofinterest on the anatomical index display component 104 of the interface100.

The hierarchical workflow disclosed herein may comprise a plurality oftemplates that are associated with respective anatomical areas and/orscan types and that comprise a) configuration data including baselineparameters for automatically configuring the imaging system and b)guidance information to assist the operator in performing one or moreexamination operations, such as image capture operations, annotationoperations, measurement operations, and/or the like. The interface 100may provide various mechanisms for selecting a template. In oneembodiment, the operator may select a template by selecting empty spaceon the sequential display component 102. The empty space may beassociated with a tag corresponding to a particular scan type and/oranatomical region (e.g., liver scan), associated with a template. Inresponse to selection of such a tag, the interface 100 may cause theimaging system to invoke the corresponding template, which may comprisea) accessing the selected template in a data storage system, b)automatically applying configuration data of the selected template(e.g., baseline parameters) to the imaging system, and/or c) adaptingthe interface 100 to display guidance information of the selectedtemplate (e.g., annotation interface components, measurement components,body marker components, scan guidance information, and/or the like).

Alternatively, or in addition, the operator may select a template by useof the anatomical index display component 104. The anatomical indexdisplay component 104 may comprise a graphical representation of theanatomical index. The anatomical index display component 104 maycomprise selectable regions (1-8) that correspond to respectiveanatomical regions, locations, volumes, and/or surfaces of theanatomical index (marked with anatomical region markers 114 in FIG. 1).As disclosed above, image data captured by the imaging system may beassociated with contextual metadata, such as the correspondinganatomical area, annotations, measurements, and so on. The interface 100may be configured to leverage the contextual information in order to,inter alia, display imagery data according to its anatomical context. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, contextual information (e.g., imagery data)pertaining to various anatomical areas may be displayed as thumbnails onrespective areas of the anatomical index display component 104. In theFIG. 1 embodiment, imagery data pertaining to the liver (study 103) hasbeen captured and is represented as respective thumbnails associatedwith anatomical area 7 of the anatomical index display component 104.Other imagery data associated with other anatomical areas may beassociated with respective areas of the anatomical index displaycomponent 104 (e.g., imagery data 109 associated with anatomical area6). In FIG. 1, anatomical areas for which no contextual information hasbeen captured are displayed with an “x.” Alternatively, such areas mayremain blank and/or may comprise empty space. In some embodiments, theanatomical index display component 104 may display guidance informationof a template. For example, anatomical areas to be scanned may be markedwith an “x” (or other indicator) to guide the operator to anatomicalareas that must be scanned as part of a particular examination type.

The operator may select a particular area of the anatomical indexdisplay component 104 (an anatomical region marker 114), which maycomprise selecting a template corresponding to the respective anatomicalarea. In response to selecting an anatomical region marker 114, theimaging system may a) access the corresponding template, b) applyconfiguration data of the template, and/or c) modify the interface 100in accordance with guidance information of the template, as disclosedherein.

Selection of a template through empty space of the sequential displaycomponent 102 and/or anatomical index display component 104 may beadapted according to selection of a widget in any of the headers 111.For example, in the pathology tab 116 the mass modification widget couldbe used to generate a new set of contextual information (study 103)associated with a mass in the liver. Selection of the “mass” input onthe pathology tab 116 may result in selection of a correspondingtemplate specific to a) a scan of a particular anatomical area (e.g.,liver 7) of b) a particular scan type (e.g., mass scan). The selectedtemplate may, therefore, comprise baseline parameters configured to ascan of the liver and that include annotations, measurements, widgets,and/or other guidance information specific to scanning a mass in theliver.

The set of contextual information pertaining to the mass (study 103)may, therefore, comprise contextual information that includes a set ofimagery data with corresponding metadata, such as pathology information115. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the contextual information of the study103 is associated with a specific area of the anatomical index (e.g.,within the liver 7), and may be associated with contextual information,such as a pathology type, a title, measurements, and/or the like.Contextual information pertaining to the study 103 (and/or othercontextual information gathered during the examination) may beassociated with the patient in the data storage system, which may enablethe study 103 to be correlated with other data, such as MRI images, CTimages, patient history information (e.g., previous scan data), and/orthe like.

The interface 100 further comprises an imaging region 106 configured todisplay captured imagery data. Upon generating a new entry into the exam(e.g., capturing imagery data), the operator may label the image basedon a selected pathology and/or other criterion. In the FIG. 1embodiment, the imagery data display in the region 106 comprises a scanof the liver mass of the study 103 and, as such, is labeled and/ortagged with the “mass” pathology. As disclosed above, the selectedpathology may determine a template for the scan operation(s), which mayinclude guidance information for the operator, such as measurement,annotation, and/or other widgets. The operator may select a measurementwidget from the image based modification section 112 under themeasurement tab 117 to acquire measurements needed as part of the “livermass” template.

Although FIG. 1 depicts a measurement widget using distance, other typesof measurement widgets may be provided including, but not limited to: anellipse, area, volume, and/or the like. The measurement widgets may beassociated with respective templates, which may correspond to differentpathology types, anatomical areas, and/or the like.

The measurements and other information pertaining to the mass may beassociated with the corresponding image data and/or anatomical indexentry as contextual metadata. The interface 100 may provide for entry ofadditional text-based annotations by use of HMI components of theimaging system (not shown). In the FIG. 1 embodiment, selecting theQWERTY icon 113 may invoke a touch screen text input used for enteringtext annotations. Image annotations may be depicted as floating elementson the image data that can be positioned at a desired location withinthe imaging region 106.

The interface 100 may further comprise imaging controls 107, which mayprovide access to fundamental image controls through gesture basedinputs. For example, selecting the B icon and moving the finger up ordown to the desired level may modify B-mode gain. Alternatively, imagingcontrols 107 may be implemented using fixed keys and/or other inputmechanisms. Ultrasound is a technology where there is a potential forvariations in the attenuation of tissue at different depths so anability to modify the gain settings from some normal value is alsoprovided by gain inputs 105. The gain inputs 105 comprise slidercontrols used to adjust the respective gains at corresponding verticalpositions within the image. The gain inputs 105 may be adjusted manuallyand/or set based on user preference. Alternatively, or in addition, thegain inputs 105 may be set automatically using the optimize input 110.The other inputs may include, but are not limited to, a “freeze” imageinput and one or more save inputs. The save inputs may be used to storethe image in association with a region, location, volume and/or surfaceof the anatomical index display component 104 and/or linear displaycomponent 102. Different save inputs (e.g., save 1, save 2, and save 3)may be configured to perform different types of save operations, such assave an image still, save a clip, print an image, and/or save acombination of image and clip. As disclosed above, saving imagery datamay comprise storing the imagery data on a data storage system, suchthat the imagery data is associated with contextual metadata, such aspatient information, anatomical area, annotations, metadata, and/or thelike.

The input 114 may be used to associate the image with a particularanatomical location, region, volume, and/or surface of the anatomicalindex 104. Alternatively, an image may be associated with the anatomicalindex 104 by, inter alia, dragging the image to a particular region(1-8) of the index 104 and/or sequential region 102. Associating animage with the anatomical index 104 may comprise associating the imagewith a template, which may comprise updating the image withcorresponding annotations, body markers, measurement data, and/or thelike.

Saving image data may comprise generating a thumbnail representationcorresponding to the image data, which may be displayed within theanatomical index display component 104 and/or sequential displaycomponent 102, as disclosed above. Thumbnails may be adapted to indicateif the imagery data is a still image or a clip as depicted in 109. Oncethe operator has completed the scans comprising the examination, theanatomical index display component 104 may be populated with a completeset of contextual information (e.g. images, measurements, annotations,anomalies, and so on). The interface 100 may, therefore, provide asimple graphical representation of all the pertinent information of thestudy in a single, easy to digest picture. The information display inthe interface 100 may correspond to the relational information(contextual metadata) associated with the captured imagery data. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, imagery data is depicted in association withrespective anatomical areas (on the anatomical index display component104). In addition, the imagery data is associated with a higher-levelexamination operation (study), including specified annotations,measurements, and/or the like. The contextual information is furtherleveraged to provide contextual information for the anomaly (liver mass)identified during the examination, such that contextual informationpertaining to the anomaly is associated with the correspondinganatomical area, other scan information, patient historical information,and/or the like. As disclosed above, the contextual information of theexamination may be stored in a data storage system, such that theimagery data is associated with its corresponding contextual metadata.The association between the imagery data and contextual metadata mayfacilitate physician review. For example, if multiple examinations ofthe patient had been performed at different times, the correspondingimagery data may be identified in the data storage system (based onpatient identifier and/or other relational information) for comparisonand/or analysis.

FIG. 2 depicts another embodiment of an interface 200 for reviewingcontextual information. The interface 200 may be embodied ascomputer-readable instructions stored on a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium. The instructions may be configured forexecution by a computing device to a) display the interface 200 on adisplay device and/or b) implement corresponding processingfunctionality. Alternatively, or in addition, the computing device maybe configured to implement the interface 200 by use of dedicatedhardware components, as disclosed above. The computing device maycomprise a workstation, an imaging platform, an imaging system, and/or ageneral-purpose computing device.

The interface 200 comprises a display area 201 comprising a sequentialdisplay component 202 and anatomical index display component 204. A usermay select imagery data from either component 202 and/or 204. Imagerydata may be displayed in image display area 206. In the FIG. 2embodiment, imagery data corresponding to the study 203 (liver mass)have been selected. The selected imagery data may be highlighted in theanatomical index display component 204 (and/or sequential displaycomponent 202). The interface 200 may be further configured to accessother types of imagery data pertaining to the selected anatomical area,such as ultrasound, CT and/or MRI imagery data as depicted. The relatedimagery data may be identified by use of contextual metadata associatedwith the images (e.g., the images may be associated with the particularpatient, pathology, and/or anatomical area) in the data storage system.

The interface 200 may comprise an area of interest inputs (measurementtab 217). The area of interest marked by an ellipse for the ultrasoundimage 208 could also be associated with the CT image 215. If additionalmodifications of the settings of the images were desired, the operatorcould, for example, adjust the gain of the ultrasound image via a set ofsliders inputs 205. The operator may also adjust other image parameters,such as zoom, gain, and/or the like using inputs 207. The inputs 207 maybe further configured to make adjustments to images collected from othermodalities. The operator may adjust the properties of the image(s),automatically optimize image settings (using input 210), and/or savecopies of the images.

The operator may modify contextual metadata pertaining to the imagerydata, which may comprise a) modifying existing pathology information, b)removing pathology information, c) adding pathology information, and/ord) the like. In the FIG. 2 embodiment, the operator may associate amodification of an existing index point 214 on the anatomical indexdisplay component 204 through the anatomical tools 211 by use of thepathology modification widgets 216. The modified annotations on theimage may be saved using input(s) of the interface 200, as disclosedherein. Additional image based tools 212 could also be applied to theimage data. In one embodiment, the operator may use the ellipsemeasurement widget to add new measurements to the images. Textannotations may be added by use of the QWERTY icon 213 component, asdescribed above. The image data depicted in both the sequential displaycomponent 202 and the anatomical index display component 204 mayindicate general image format (e.g., through their thumbnail with amodification, for example, to indicate that the image stored in aparticular index is a clip 209).

FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment of an imaging system 300 comprising amobile display 301. The mobile display 301 may be configured to displaythe interface(s) 100 and/or 200 disclosed herein. The imaging system 300may comprise a processor, memory, and/or computer-readable storagemedium. The imaging system 300 may further comprise a network interface,such as a wireless network transceiver, a wired network interface,and/or the like. The imaging system 300 may comprise and/or becommunicatively coupled to a data storage system (not shown), which maycomprise: a) an anatomical index, b) templates, and/or c) contextualinformation pertaining to one or more patients (e.g., historicalexamination data). The imaging system 300 may be configured to storeimagery data and/or associated contextual metadata on the data storagesystem.

In the FIG. 3 embodiment, the interface may be adapted for display on amobile computing device (mobile display 301). The mobile display 301 maycomprise one or more of an LCD, an OLED, a PLASMA or the like. Themobile display 301 may include a touch panel capable of receiving touchinputs. The mobile display 301 may be positioned up, down, side-to-side(302), and so on. In order to provide the most convenient ergonomics,the mobile display 301 may be mounted on wheels 303 to assist with themovement and positioning of the imaging system 300. A convenient way todress the transducer cable 304 along a path that will be associated withthe display and convenient for the operator is also provided. There aremultiple transducer connectors 305 so that the user can electronicallyselect an active transducer without disrupting the exam. The imagingsystem 300 may also include a storage location 306 for an object, suchas a printer, wipes, and/or the like. The imaging system 300 may furtherinclude a heated holding area 307 for acoustic gel.

FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of an imaging system 400. The imagingsystem 400 may comprise one or more displays 401 and/or 406, which maybe configured to display the interface(s) 100 and/or 200 disclosedherein. The imaging system 400 may comprise a processor, memory,computer-readable storage medium, network interface, and/or the like, asdisclosed herein. The imaging system 400 may comprise and/or becommunicatively coupled to a data storage system (not shown), which maycomprise: a) an anatomical index, b) templates, and/or c) contextualinformation pertaining to one or more patients (e.g., historicalexamination data). The imaging system 400 may be configured to storeimagery data and/or associated contextual metadata on the data storagesystem.

The imaging system 400 may comprise transducers 402 mounted along a maincolumn 403 of the imaging system 400. The transducers 402 may bepositioned to reduce cable drag and for operator ergonomics. Thetransducers 402 may be electronically selectable through an interface ofthe imaging system 400 to minimize the need for manual interchangeduring examination. The imaging system 400 may comprise lockable wheels404.

The imaging system 400 may be configured to present an interface 406 onone or more of the displays 401 and/or 406 in accordance with theinterface(s) 100 and/or 200 disclosed herein. The displays 401 and/or406 may be configured to receive touch and/or gesture input. The display406 may be repositioned 407 by an operator. The imaging system 400 maycomprise a storage unit 405.

FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of an imaging system 500. The imagingsystem 500 may comprise a processor, memory, computer-readable storagemedium, and/or network interface and may comprise and/or becommunicatively coupled to a data storage system, as disclosed herein.

The imaging system 500 may comprise a primary display 501, which may beconfigured to display the hierarchical workflow interface 100 of FIG. 1and/or the contextual review interface 200 of FIG. 2. The primarydisplay 501 may, therefore, be configured to display image data capturedby the imaging system 500 as well as the anatomical index displaycomponent 104 and/or 204. An operator may utilize input controls tomanipulate the imaging system (e.g., control the hierarchical workflow),which may include touch screen inputs and/or HMI components (e.g., hardkey inputs). The system may comprise additional peripheral units such asa warming gel holder 503, transducer holders 504, and/or the like.Components of the imaging system 500 may be configured for operation byeither left or right hand. For example, gain correction controls (and/orother inputs) may be presented on either side of the display 502. Thetransducer connector ports 505 may be placed in a high and prominentposition to allow maximum cable drape without reaching the floor. Theimaging system 500 may comprise a push handle 506 to aid in positioningthe imaging system 500 using, inter alia, the wheels 508. The imagingsystem 500 may further comprise storage 507 for supplementary equipment.The imaging system 500 may further include a printer 509.

This disclosure has been made with reference to various exemplaryembodiments, including the best mode. However, those skilled in the artwill recognize that changes and modifications may be made to theexemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. While the principles of this disclosure have been shown invarious embodiments, many modifications of structure, arrangements,proportions, elements, materials, and components may be adapted for aspecific environment and/or operating requirements without departingfrom the principles and scope of this disclosure. These and otherchanges or modifications are intended to be included within the scope ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts embodiments of data structures 600 for a hierarchicalworkflow. The data structures 600 of FIG. 6 and/or the other datastructures disclosed herein, may be configured for storage in a datastorage system 601, which may include, but is not limited to: adatabase, a directory, a file system, and/or the like. FIG. 6 includesan anatomical index 604 comprising entries 606A-N. The entries 606A-N ofthe anatomical index 604 may correspond to and/or represent anatomicalareas, such as anatomical locations, regions, volumes, surfaces,structures, and/or the like. The entries 606A-N may be linked in ahierarchical data structure (e.g., a tree data structure) in accordancewith anatomical relationships between the various entries. The entry606B may, for example, correspond to the chest area, and the entry 606Amay correspond to an anatomical area within the chest area (e.g., theheart).

The entries 606A-N of the anatomical index 604 may correspond toexamination templates, such as the examination template 610. Theexamination template 610 may comprise a plurality of fields (e.g.,entries, attributes, tables, and/or the like). In the FIG. 6 embodiment,the examination template data structure 610 comprises an anatomical areafield 616 that associates the examination template 610 with one or moreentries 610A-N of the anatomical index 604. In the FIG. 6 embodiment,the examination template 610 is associated with entry 606N of theanatomical index 604, which may correspond to the liver. The anatomicalarea field 616 may reference the entry 606N by use of a link,identifier, uniform resource locator (URL), relational database, and/orthe like. As disclosed above, the template 610 may compriseconfiguration data 617 and/or guidance information 618. Theconfiguration data 617 may include baseline parameters 620 and/or otherconfiguration information related to a particular scan operation. Thebaseline parameters 620 may be maintained in a separate data structure(e.g., separate database table) and/or within a configuration data field617 of the template data structure 610. The guidance information 618 mayinclude, but is not limited to: annotation guidance information 630,measurement guidance information 632, scan area information 634,examination steps 636, and so on. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the guidanceinformation 618 may be maintained in one or more separate datastructures. Alternatively, the guidance information 618 may be stored ina single entry, field, and/or table). As disclosed above, the annotationguidance information 630 may provide instructions to an operator onappropriate annotations for a particular type of image,examination-type, and/or the like. The measurement guidance information632 may specify measurements to perform on imagery data captured duringthe examination. The measurement guidance information 632 may, forexample, specify measurement widgets for display in the measurement tab117 of the interface 100. The scan areas field 634 may identify imagerydata to capture by one or more of: anatomical area, scan orientation,scan mode, and/or the like. The contents of the scan areas field 634 maybe used to generate guidance information for display on the sequentialdisplay component 102 (e.g., empty space) and/or anatomical indexdisplay component 104 (e.g., anatomical region markers 114). Theexamination steps field 636 may specify scan and/or imaging steps.

As disclosed above, in response to selecting a template 610, the imagingsystem may be configured to automatically apply the configuration data617 (e.g., baseline parameters 620) and/or modify the interface of theimaging system to include guidance information 618 of the template 610.Data captured during the examination process may be associated with theanatomical area 616 of the template 610 along with other contextualmetadata.

FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a contextual information data structure640 comprising data gathered during a hierarchical workflow. Thecontextual information may include, but is not limited to: a templatefield 642, a captured data field 644, contextual metadata field 646, andthe like. The template field 642 may comprise a reference and/or link toa template associated with the contextual information 640 (e.g., thetemplate used during capture of the corresponding image data). Thecaptured data field 644 may comprise and/or reference data capturedduring examination, which may include but is not limited to: one or moreimages, video content, audio content, and/or the like. The contextualmetadata 646 may comprise and/or reference descriptive metadatapertaining to the captured data 644, the contextual metadata 646 mayinclude, but is not limited to: an anatomical entry 650 identifying theanatomical region, location, volume, and/or surface associated with thecaptured data 644 (e.g., entry 606N in the anatomical index 604), apatient identifier 652, a timestamp 654 corresponding to the date and/ortime the corresponding data was captured, annotations 660, measurements662, an indicator of the scan area and/or orientation 664, theexamination step 666 associated with the captured data 644, pathologyinformation 668 (diagnosis), and/or the like.

The association between the captured data 644 and the contextualmetadata 646 may be used to aggregate imagery data captured at differenttimes and/or using different modalities. For example, imagery datacorresponding to the patient's liver may be identified by searching forcontextual information 640 in the data storage system 601 tagged with aparticular patient identifier (patient identifier field 652) that coversa particular anatomical area (based on the anatomical area field 650).

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of one embodiment of an imaging system 700configured to capture contextual information using a hierarchicalworkflow. The imaging system 700 may comprise a processor 702, memory704, non-transitory, computer-readable storage 706, HMI components 707,and/or a network interface 708, as disclosed herein. The imaging system700 may further include and/or be communicatively coupled to a datastorage system 601. The data storage system 601 may comprise ananatomical index 604, templates 610, and/or contextual information 640,as disclosed herein.

The imaging system 700 may comprise a data capture module 720 comprisingone or more data capture devices, such as ultrasound transducers. Theimage capture module 720 may be configured to capture imagery datapertaining to various anatomical areas of a patient.

The imaging system 700 may further comprise an interface module 722configured to present an interface on a display 712 of the imagingsystem 700. The interface module 722 may be configured to present theinterface 100 on the display 712. An operator may perform a scanoperation by a) selecting a template through the interface 100 and b)performing the image capture operations of the template. Selecting thetemplate may comprise selecting an anatomical area on the anatomicalindex display component 104 of the interface 100, selecting an emptyspace on the serial display component 102, a menu selection, and/or thelike. In response to selection of a template, a configuration module 724of the imaging system 700 may a) access the template data structure 610from the data storage system 601 and b) automatically configure theimaging system 700 in accordance with the configuration data 617 of theselected template (e.g., apply the baseline parameters 620). Theconfiguration module 724 may be further configured to modify theinterface 100 in accordance with guidance information 618 of thetemplate 610 which may include, but is not limited to: annotationguidance 630, measurement guidance 632 (e.g., widgets), scan areaguidance 634, examination step guidance 636, and so on.

After selection of the template 610, the operator of the imaging system700 may capture imagery data, enter annotations, perform measurements,and so on (in accordance with the guidance information 618). Theoperator may select a save input through the interface 100. In response,a relational module 726 of the imaging system 700 may be configured toa) associate imagery data captured by the imaging system 700 withcontextual metadata associated with the template 610 and/or entered bythe operator (e.g., anatomical area, patient identifier, timestamp,annotations, measurements, scan area, examination step, pathology, andso on), such that the captured data 644 is stored with the correspondingcontextual metadata. The relational module 726 may be configured tostore the captured data 644 in a contextual information data structure640, as disclosed above (by use of the data storage system 601).

As disclosed above, the operator may deviate from predetermined steps ofa template 610 in response to an anomaly (e.g., in response to detectinga mass in the patient's liver). Data captured during such a deviationmay inherit the contextual metadata associated with the template 610including, but not limited to: anatomical area 650, patient identifier652, timestamp 654, and so on. The “anomalous” entry may, therefore,include contextual information that associates the captured data 644with a particular patient, scan area (anatomical area), and/or the like.Contextual information pertaining to the anomalous entry may be storedin the data storage system 601 in association with contextual metadataby use of the relational module 726, as disclosed above.

The imaging system 700 may further comprise a review module 728configured to aggregate data in the data store 601 based on contextualmetadata associated with the data. The review module 728 may beconfigured to aggregate imagery data by, inter alia, searching forcontextual information data structures 640 pertaining to a particularpatient identifier 652 that correspond to a particular anatomical area650, and/or the like. The review module 728 may be configured to displayaggregate contextual information in on the display 712 by use of theinterface module 722 (e.g., in the interface 200 of FIG. 2). The reviewmodule 728 may be further configured to provide for modification,removal, and/or addition of contextual metadata during review (e.g.,modify, add, and/or remove annotations, measurements, diagnosis, and/orthe like).

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method 800 for ahierarchical workflow. The method 800 and/or the other methods,processes, and/or operations disclosed herein may be embodied ascomputer-readable instructions stored on a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium, such as the computer-readable storage706 of the imaging system 700. The instructions may be configured forexecution by a processor of a computing device to perform one or more ofthe steps of the method 800 (e.g., processor 702 of the imaging system700). Alternatively, or in addition, steps of the method 800 (and/orother methods disclosed herein) may be implemented by use of hardwarecomponents, such as data storage systems 601, application-specificprocessing elements, and/or the like.

Step 810 may comprise accessing baseline configuration parameters for animaging system 700. The baseline parameters of step 810 may be accessedin response to selection of a template 610, as disclosed herein. Step810 may, therefore, comprise receiving a selection of a template throughan interface 100 (e.g., selection of an anatomical area on theanatomical index display component 104, selection of empty space on theserial display component 102, a menu selection, and/or the like). Step810 may further comprise accessing a template data structure 610 in adata storage system 601. The template data structure 610 may beassociated with an entry 606A-N of an anatomical index 604.

Step 820 may comprise automatically configuring the imaging system 700in accordance with the baseline parameters of step 810 (by use of, interalia, a configuration module 724). As disclosed above, step 820 maycomprise applying baseline parameters 620 of a selected template datastructure 610. The template data structure 610 may further compriseguidance information 618. In some embodiments, step 820 furthercomprises configuring the interface 100 of the imaging system 700 inaccordance with the guidance information 610, which may includeannotation guidance 630, measurement guidance 632 (e.g., measurementwidgets), scan area guidance 634, examination step guidance 636, and soon.

Step 830 may comprise storing data captured using the imaging system 700as configured in step 820. Step 830 may comprise a) capturing imagingdata using the imaging system 700 and/or b) entering contextual metadatapertaining to the captured data, such as annotations, measurements,diagnoses, and/or the like. Step 830 may comprise storing the captureddata such that the data is associated with the corresponding contextualmetadata (e.g., in a contextual information data structure 640, asdisclosed herein).

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method 900 for ahierarchal workflow. Step 910 may comprise defining an anatomical index604 comprising a plurality of entries 606A-N. The anatomical index 604may correspond to anatomical regions, locations, volumes, surfaces,and/or structures capable of being scanned by one or more data capturesystems. The anatomical index 604 may be stored in a data storage system601 and/or in a memory and/or storage medium of an imaging system.

Step 920 may comprise associating entries 606A-N of the anatomical index604 with template data structures 610. As disclosed herein, a templatedata structure 610 may correspond to one or more entries of theanatomical index 604 such that selection of the corresponding anatomicalregion, location, volume, surface, and/or structure results in applyingthe corresponding template data structure 610 to the imaging system 700.The template data structures 610 may be associated with entries 606A-Nof the anatomical index 604 by use of a relational data storage system,such as a database, directory, file system, and/or the like.

Step 920 may further comprise defining configuration metadata for thetemplate data structures 610. As disclosed herein, the configurationmetadata 617 may be used to configure the imaging system 700 to captureimage data of the anatomical area(s) associated with the template datastructure 610. The configuration metadata may comprise baselineparameters 620 to configure data capture module 720 of the imagingsystem 700 (e.g., ultrasound transducers).

Step 920 may further comprise defining guidance information 618 for thetemplate data structure 610. As disclosed herein, the guidanceinformation 618 may comprise annotation guidance 630, measurementguidance 632 (e.g., define measurement widgets), scan area guidance 634,examination step guidance 636, and so on. The guidance information 618may be adapted for display on an interface 100 of the imaging system700, as disclosed herein.

Step 930 may comprise tagging data captured by use of a particulartemplate data structure 610 with contextual metadata of the templatedata structure 610. Step 930 may comprise associating captured data withan anatomical area (e.g., an entry 606A-N of the anatomical index 604),a timestamp 654, annotations 660, measurements 662, scan areainformation 664, examination step information 666, pathology information668 (e.g., diagnosis), and/or the like. Step 930 may be applied to datacaptured as part of an examination step 636 of the template datastructure 610 and/or to data captured outside of the pre-defined steps(e.g., data captured in response to an anomaly). Step 930 may furthercomprise storing the captured data in association with the contextualmetadata in the data storage system 601 (e.g., as contextual informationdata structures 640).

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method 1000 for ahierarchal workflow. Step 1010 may comprise receiving review criterionfrom an operator. The review criterion may be received through aninterface 200 of a computing device. The review criterion may correspondto contextual metadata 646 associated with captured data 644 of one ormore contextual information data structures 640. The contextualinformation data structures 640 may be maintained in a data storagesystem 601, which may include, but is not limited to: a database,directory, file system, and/or the like. The review criterion mayspecify patient identifier(s) 652, anatomical area(s) 650, annotation(s)660, measurement(s) 662, scan area(s) 664, examination step(s) 666,pathology information 668 (e.g., diagnosis), and/or the like. The reviewcriterion may be adapted to aggregate imagery data pertaining to aparticular anatomical area, a particular pathology, and/or the like. Thereview criterion may be configured to aggregate imagery data ofdifferent types and/or imagery data acquired at different times.

Step 1020 may comprise identifying contextual metadata data structures640 that correspond to the review criterion of step 1010. Step 1020 maycomprise searching the data storage system 601 using portions of thereview criterion. Step 1020 may comprise aggregating a plurality ofmatching contextual information data structures 640 into a results set.

Step 1030 may comprise presenting the contextual information identifiedin step 1020 on a display (e.g., in the interface 200 disclosed herein).Step 1030 may comprise combining imagery data from a plurality ofdifferent contextual information data structures 640, editing fields ofthe contextual information data structures 640, and so on.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method 1100 for ahierarchical workflow. Step 1110 may comprise accessing an anatomicalindex 604, which may comprise accessing and/or referencing an embodimentof the anatomical index 604 as a data structure maintained in a datastorage system 601 and/or a computer-readable storage medium of acomputing device (e.g., imaging system 700). The anatomical index 604may comprise entries 606A-N corresponding to anatomical areas, such asanatomical locations, regions, volumes, surfaces, structures, and/or thelike.

Step 1120 may comprise defining a template 610 (e.g., defining datacomprising a template 610 data structure as depicted in FIG. 6). Asdisclosed herein, a template 610 may be associated with an anatomicalarea. Step 1120 may, therefore, comprise associating the template 610with one or more entries 606A-N of the anatomical index 604 of step1110. Step 1120 may further comprise defining one or more of:configuration metadata 617 and/or guidance information 618 for thetemplate 610. As disclosed herein, configuration metadata 617 maycomprise baseline parameters 620 adapted to configure an imaging system700 to capture imaging data pertaining to the anatomical area associatedwith the template 610. The baseline parameters 620 may comprise settingsfor an ultrasound imaging system and/or other data capture system (e.g.,MRI, CT, PET, and/or the like). The guidance information 618 mayinclude, but is not limited to: annotation guidance 630, measurementguidance 632 (e.g., measurement widgets), scan area guidance 634,examination step guidance 636, and/or the like. The guidance information618 may be presented to an operator of the imaging system 700 on aninterface 100 on a display 712 of imaging system 700 (e.g., by use of aninterface module 722).

Step 1120 may be implemented using the interface 100 of the imagingsystem 700 (and/or other interface components). Alternatively, or inaddition, step 1120 may occur on a workstation (e.g., a general-purposecomputing device). Step 1120 may further comprise transmitting data ofthe template 610 to a data storage system 601 and/or an imaging system700.

Step 1130 may comprise capturing data using the template 610 defined instep 1120. Step 1130 may include a) receiving a selection of thetemplate 610 through the interface 100 of the imaging system 700 (e.g.,selection of an area on the anatomical index display component 104and/or serial display component 102) and/or b) receiving a selection ofthe template 610 through standard interface components, such as a menu,list, and/or the like on the imaging system 700 and/or other computingdevice. Step 1130 may further comprise accessing the template 610 in thedata storage system 610 and/or computer-readable storage 706 of theimaging system 700 and/or automatically applying configuration metadata617 and/or guidance information 618 of the template 610. Applying theconfiguration metadata 617 may comprise applying the baseline parameters620 of the template 610 to the data capture module 720 of the imagingsystem 700 by use of the configuration module 724. Applying the guidanceinformation 618 may comprise modifying the interface 100 presented onthe display 712 of the imaging system 700, as disclosed herein. Step1130 may further comprise tagging and/or associating data captured bythe imaging system with contextual metadata defined in the template 610,such anatomical information, annotations, measurements, and so on.

Step 1132 may comprise modifying the template 610. Step 1132 maycomprise modifying one or more of the anatomical area(s) 616 associatedwith the template 610, modifying the configuration metadata 617, and/orguidance information 618. Step 1132 may comprise modifying the scanareas 634 and/or examination steps 636 of the template 610. Step 1132may be performed during image capture (e.g., during examination) and/orat another time. Moreover, the modifications of step 1132 may beimplemented on the imaging system 700 or workstation.

In one embodiment, an operator may modify the template 610 in responseto detecting an anomaly in captured imagery data during an examination(e.g., identifying a mass or lesion) by: a) adding further scan areas634 and/or examination step 636 to capture additional informationpertaining to the anomaly. In another embodiment, an operator may modifythe template 610 in response to changes in best practices for aparticular examination type, which may comprise adding, modifying,and/or removing one or more scan areas 634 and/or examination steps 636of the template 610. Step 1132 may further comprise storing the modifiedtemplate 610 in the data storage system 601 and/or computer-readablestorage 706 of the imaging system 700.

This disclosure has been made with reference to various exemplaryembodiments, including the best mode. However, those skilled in the artwill recognize that changes and modifications may be made to theexemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. While the principles of this disclosure have been shown invarious embodiments, many modifications of structure, arrangements,proportions, elements, materials, and components may be adapted for aspecific environment and/or operating requirements without departingfrom the principles and scope of this disclosure. These and otherchanges or modifications are intended to be included within the scope ofthe present disclosure.

This disclosure is to be regarded in an illustrative rather than arestrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope thereof. Likewise, benefits, other advantages,and solutions to problems have been described above with regard tovarious embodiments. However, benefits, advantages, solutions toproblems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, orsolution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as acritical, required, or essential feature or element. The scope of thepresent invention should, therefore, be determined by the followingclaims:

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: displaying ananatomical index including an anatomical model of a plurality ofanatomical areas of a patient, each anatomical area being associatedwith an examination template comprising: a hierarchical examinationworkflow defined by a plurality of examination procedures specific to arespective anatomical area, the hierarchical examination workflowspecifying a set of image scans to be performed within the respectiveanatomical area; and baseline configuration parameters to be used by animaging system when performing the set of image scans within therespective anatomical area; receiving a selection of an examinationtemplate in response to a user selection of an anatomical area from theanatomical model; accessing the hierarchical examination workflow andthe baseline configuration parameters corresponding to the selectedexamination template, wherein the hierarchical examination workflow isadjustable during imaging of the selected anatomical area to modify theplurality of examination procedures defining the hierarchicalexamination workflow; automatically configuring the imaging system withthe baseline configuration parameters from the selected examinationtemplate; storing image data of the selected anatomical area captured byuse of the imaging system according to the hierarchical examinationworkflow on a storage system, such that the image data is associatedwith the selected anatomical area; and displaying thumbnails of theimage data next to respective areas of the anatomical modelcorresponding to anatomical areas of the patient where the image datawas captured by the imaging system.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe storage system comprises a relational database and wherein the imagedata is associated with the selected anatomical area in the relationaldatabase.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected anatomical areacorresponds to one or more of an anatomical location, an anatomicalstructure, and an anatomical volume.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe examination template comprises guidelines defining one or more imagemeasurements to be performed.
 5. The method of claim 4, furthercomprising updating the anatomical index in response to the guidelinesof the selected examination template.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising associating an additional image scan with contextual metadatacorresponding to the examination template, wherein the additional imagescan is not included in one or more image scans of the examinationtemplate.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: modifying theselected examination template according to adjustments of thehierarchical examination workflow; and writing the modified examinationtemplate to a storage system.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein theexamination template is modified during an examination of the anatomicalarea.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the examination template ismodified by use of a workstation that is separate from the imagingsystem.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising correlating thestored imaged data with external image data pertaining to the anatomicalarea associated with the stored image data, wherein the external imagedata comprises one of an ultrasound image, a computed tomography image,a positron emission tomography image, a magnetic resonance imagingimage, an x-ray image, and a fluoroscopy image.
 11. The method of claim1, further comprising: displaying an indication in association with eachanatomical area of the anatomical index for which image data has notbeen captured, the indication comprising a guide to an operator toanatomical areas that must be scanned as part of a particularexamination type.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the captured imagedata comprises a still image.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein thecaptured image data comprises a video clip.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein the captured image data is associated with contextual metadataincluding one or more of an indication of an anatomical area, anannotation, and a measurement.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein thethumbnails are overlaid upon the anatomical model.
 16. An apparatus,comprising: an interface module configured to display an anatomicalindex including an anatomical model of a plurality of anatomical areasof a patient, each anatomical area being associated within a datastorage system with an examination template comprising: a hierarchicalexamination workflow defined by a plurality of examination proceduresspecific to a respective anatomical area, the hierarchical examinationworkflow specifying a set of image scans to be performed within therespective anatomical area; and baseline configuration parameters to beused by an image capture device when performing the set of image scanswithin the respective anatomical area; the interface module beingfurther configured to receive a selection of an examination template inresponse to a user selection of an anatomical area from the anatomicalmodel and access the hierarchical examination workflow and the baselineconfiguration parameters corresponding to the selected examinationtemplate; wherein the hierarchical examination workflow is adjustableduring imaging of the selected anatomical area to modify the pluralityof examination procedures defining the hierarchical examinationworkflow; wherein the image capture device is automatically configuredwith the baseline configuration parameters from the selected examinationtemplate, the image capture device being configured to capture imagedata for the selected anatomical area according to the hierarchicalexamination workflow; and a storage module configured to store thecaptured image data with contextual metadata that associates thecaptured image data with the selected anatomical area, wherein theinterface module is further configured to display thumbnails of thecaptured image data next to respective areas of the anatomical modelcorresponding to anatomical areas of the patient where the image datawas captured by the image capture device.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein the data storage system comprises a relational database.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein the examination template comprisesguidance information for performing the examination procedures, whereinthe interface module is configured to adapt a measurement widget of agraphical user interface of the image capture device in accordance withthe guidance information.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein theguidance information identifies a plurality of scan areas, and whereinthe interface module is configured to display indications of the scanareas on the anatomical index.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17, whereinthe templates are associated with respective entries of the anatomicalindex.
 21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the storage module is toassociate image data corresponding to an anomaly with an anatomical areaassociated with the selected examination template.
 22. A system,comprising: a processor and a computer-readable storage medium, thecomputer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations,comprising: displaying an anatomical index including an anatomical modelof a plurality of anatomical areas of a patient, each anatomical areabeing associated with an examination template comprising: a hierarchicalexamination workflow defined by a plurality of examination proceduresspecific to a respective anatomical area, the hierarchical examinationworkflow specifying a set of image scans to be performed within therespective anatomical area; and baseline configuration parameters to beused by an image capture device when performing the set of image scanswithin the respective anatomical area; receiving a selection of anexamination template in response to a user selection of an anatomicalarea of the anatomical model and access the hierarchical examinationworkflow and the baseline configuration parameters corresponding to theselected examination template; wherein the hierarchical examinationworkflow is adjustable during imaging of the selected anatomical area tomodify the plurality of examination procedures defining the hierarchicalexamination workflow; wherein the image capture device automaticallyapplies the baseline configuration parameters associated with theselected examination template and captures image data for the selectedanatomical area according to the hierarchical examination workflow; andwherein the processor is further configured to display thumbnails of thecaptured image data next to respective areas of the anatomical modelcorresponding to anatomical areas of the patient where the image datawas captured by the image capture device.
 23. The system of claim 22,wherein the image capture device comprises an interface moduleconfigured to display one or more of annotation guidance, measurementguidance, scan area guidance, and examination step guidance for theselected examination template.
 24. The system of claim 22, wherein theimage capture device comprises a relational module configured toassociate captured image data with the selected anatomical areaassociated with the selected examination template in the data storagesystem.
 25. The system of claim 22, further comprising a review moduleconfigured to aggregate image data associated with contextual metadatathat conforms to a review criterion.